Indigenes Wissen und CSA-Tech: Chancen für Startups und Jugendbeschäftigung in Ghana (EN)
Die Integration von indigenem Wissen und klimafreundlicher Agrartechnologie (CSA-Tech) ist entscheidend für das Management von Klimarisiken im ghanaischen Agrarsektor.
“Ewe kente stripes, Ghana” by ZSM via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution‑ShareAlike 4.0 (CC BY‑SA 4.0).
Summary
- Climate change continues to wreak havoc on socio-ecological systems, undermining the attainment of food and livelihood security in Ghana. This is particularly critical for smallholder farmers, who directly depend on rain-fed agricultural systems.
- Ghana is tackling this issue through a comprehensive array of national strategies, sector-specific plans and climate-smart interventions aimed at enhancing resilience and fostering sustainable agricultural practices.
- Ghana’s Climate-Smart Agricultural technology (CSA tech) sector is evolving, with startups and innovators addressing the challenges posed by climate change. Farmers are viewed as innovators and custodians of Indigenous Knowledge (IK) acquired through generational transmission, practical experience and local realities, all of which can be leveraged to tackle the adverse impacts of climate change.
- Integrating CSA tech and IK has led to practical successes such as the Sheda app, Agri-Care, Farmerline and TROTRO Tractor.
- Significant challenges exist in mainstreaming IK for CSA tech development in Ghana. Notable among these challenges are a lack of deliberate policies, limited documentation, inadequate government commitment, under-resourced institutions and a lack of coordination among institutions.
- There is an urgent need to create a multi-stakeholder platform that brings together CSA tech startups and local farmers, fostering collaboration to document and digitally preserve Indigenous farming practices while integrating them with modern climate-resilient technologies to enhance agricultural productivity and sustainability.
Background
Ghana’s population is projected to grow rapidly, reaching over 37.2 million by 2030 and nearly 52 million by 2050 (Ghana Statistical Service [GSS], 2021). This growth, coupled with the challenges posed by climate change, including erratic rainfall patterns, rising temperatures and extreme weather events, presents a significant threat to food security and youth employment. To meet the food demands of a growing population and create income-generating and youth employment opportunities, adopting Climate-Smart Agricultural technology (CSA tech) is crucial. Green technology, with its transformative potential to drive sustainable growth and create employment opportunities, has emerged as a pivotal solution to address global climate challenges. Within this framework, CSA tech is a critical subset, integrating innovative tools and practices to enhance agricultural productivity, climate resilience and environmental sustainability. These technologies, ranging from automated machinery such as combine harvesters and tractors, to advanced innovations such as genetic engineering and agricultural robotics, not only maximise efficiency and yield but also align with the broader goals of green technology in mitigating climate change and fostering sustainable economic development (Stanbic Bank Ghana, 2023).
CSA tech involves modern tools and innovations designed to enhance agricultural productivity, climate resilience and environmental sustainability (Antwi-Agyei et al., 2021). Together, these approaches form a robust response to climatic and non-climatic risks. In addition to enhancing food security, CSA tech also offers a powerful tool for addressing youth unemployment in Ghana. Yeboah et al. (2024) argue that the integration of digital platforms, mobile applications and data analytics into farming practices can create employment opportunities, particularly for young people, by equipping them with skills needed in modern farming and agricultural technology. By fostering an environment where technology and agriculture intersect, Ghana can not only ensure food security but also empower its workforce to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving agricultural landscape. As such, agricultural transformation through the adoption of modern technologies is essential for tackling both the challenges of feeding a growing population and creating sustainable employment in Ghana’s agricultural sector.
However, the integration of CSA tech, Indigenous Knowledge (IK), youth employment and startup innovation remains fragmented in Ghana’s agricultural sector. While CSA tech offers modern tools and innovations to enhance productivity and resilience, it often operates in isolation from the rich IK held by local farmers, which has sustained agricultural practices over generations. Similarly, startups driving innovation and digitisation in agriculture frequently lack structured mechanisms to incorporate IK into their solutions or scale technologies that are affordable and accessible to smallholder farmers.
Youth unemployment compounds this challenge, as the agricultural sector, despite its vast potential for job creation, remains unappealing to many young people due to its traditional image and limited technological opportunities. The absence of a cohesive framework linking CSA tech, IK, startup innovation and youth employment results in missed opportunities to create sustainable, technology-driven agricultural systems that are inclusive, culturally relevant and capable of addressing the pressing challenges posed by climate change and economic uncertainty. This disconnect highlights an urgent need for a comprehensive strategy to bridge these gaps, align CSA tech with IK, empower startups to innovate in contextually relevant ways and create pathways for youth to engage in modern, climate-resilient agriculture.
This review, therefore, addresses the critical gap in understanding the linkages between CSA tech, IK, youth employment and startup innovation in Ghana. Highlighting the challenges and opportunities in aligning these elements, it explores how these components can synergise and contribute to the discourse on agricultural transformation, climate adaptation and sustainable development in the country. Furthermore, the review will guide the development of policies and practices that address climate change impacts, empower youth and foster agricultural innovation through a cohesive and integrated approach.
Climate change as a threat to livelihoods and youth employment
Climate change continues to adversely affect the socioeconomic development of developing countries, with disproportionate effects on economies reliant on rain-fed agricultural systems (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change [IPCC], 2021). Ghana is no exception and is projected to suffer increasing temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns and extreme weather events in the coming years (Klutse et al., 2021). These climatic factors are interacting with non-climatic factors to profoundly reshape Ghana’s agricultural landscape, posing critical challenges to livelihoods and youth employment.
Climate change directly impacts households that are dependent on agro-based activities such as crop farming, livestock rearing and fisheries (Yiridomah et al., 2021). For instance, erratic rainfall patterns disrupt planting and harvesting schedules, significantly reducing the yields of key staples such as maize, yam and rice. Smallholder farmers, who form the backbone of Ghana's agricultural sector, often lack the resources to adapt, making them particularly vulnerable to changing rainfall patterns and increasing temperatures (Antwi-Agyei et al., 2023).
The Ghanaian agricultural sector employs a significant proportion of the labour force, including youth. The effects of climate change on this sector – and on innovation throughout the country – therefore extend well beyond immediate productivity losses and food insecurity challenges (Food and Agriculture Organisation [FAO], 2024). For instance, technologies such as drip irrigation, water-storage systems and drought-resistant seeds are now perceived as too risky due to the unpredictability of weather patterns. This discourages both public and private investment, stagnating innovation and growth in the agricultural sector (Frimpong et al., 2023).
Declining profitability from agriculture due to unreliable rainfall patterns, coupled with the sector's perceived high risks, is also deterring young people from pursuing careers in farming. Many opt for urban migration or employment in other industries, leaving agriculture with an ageing workforce and diminishing its capacity to modernise through innovation. This trend is weakening Ghana’s potential for agricultural transformation, as youth are vital drivers of innovation and productivity (Kodom et al., 2022). Addressing these challenges requires a multi-faceted approach including investment in climate-smart technologies and practices such as conservation agriculture, agroforestry and efficient water-management systems (Antwi-Agyei et al., 2021).
Actors and the current policy environment in CSA tech and Indigenous knowledge in Ghana
Ghana has a broad legal and policy framework for climate change issues and has taken several steps to address the related socio-economic impacts and development challenges. The country’s policy environment for addressing climate change risks in agriculture is a comprehensive mix of national strategies, sector-specific plans and climate-smart interventions aimed at increasing resilience and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. This section delves into the actors and existing policy framework in this space, emphasising climate-smart agriculture technologies (CSA tech), the current state of CSA tech startups, and Indigenous Knowledge (IK).
The key actors in IK in Ghana are local farmers, community elders and traditional leaders. They are typically the custodians of this knowledge, which they transmit orally or through demonstration. Women farmers, in particular, often possess valuable knowledge related to food processing, plant cultivation and medicinal uses of plants (File et al., 2023). Also active in this space are key policymakers and government agencies, including the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), which guides agricultural policy and CSA practices; the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which focuses on environmental sustainability; and the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI), which promotes research and innovation. In addition, the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) shapes long-term development strategies, while local government actors and extension officers implement policies at the community level. .
Table 1 shows the broad national-level policies and programmes implemented over the years to address climate change risks and innovation in Ghana. The policies focus on modern technologies, climate change adaptation and agricultural sustainability but make only indirect references to IK. Policies like the National Food and Agriculture Sector Development Policy (FASDEP II, 2007) and the Climate-Smart Agriculture and Food Security Action Plan (2016) address both CSA tech and IK, but no comprehensive policy fully integrates CSA tech, IK and youth employment. Existing policies also often only treat these elements separately or with indirect references. For instance, while policies such as the Climate-Smart Agriculture Investment Plan (CSAIP, 2018) and the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program (NEIP, 2017) partially integrate these aspects, they lack the clear implementation strategies needed to fully align them. These policies also highlight innovation using IK by recognising traditional practices like crop rotation and water management, supporting community-based research and encouraging digitisation of IK via platforms like Farmerline. The Gender and National Youth Policies further emphasise the involvement of women and youth in integrating IK with modern technologies. However, gaps in implementation strategies, particularly in the National Agricultural Extension Project (NAEP) and NEIP, hinder full integration.
The policies referenced in Table 1 are shaped by four types of policy categories: overarching national-level policies, such as the Climate Change Policy (2013) and Master Plan (2016), which provide a broad framework for resilience but lack actionable steps for integrating CSA tech, IK and inclusivity; sector-specific agricultural strategies, like FASDEP II (2007) and the CSA Action Plan (2016), which emphasise sustainability and CSA adoption but insufficiently integrate IK or scale technologies to smallholder farmers; investment-oriented policies, including the Climate-Smart Agriculture Investment Plan (CSAIP, 2018), which focus on innovation and private-sector engagement yet lack CSA-specific investments and capacity-building; and programmatic and gender-sensitive policies, such as the Gender Policy (2015) and Agenda for Jobs (2018), which promote equity and empowerment but fail to operationalise gender/youth programmes or link IK with modern CSA tech.
Forms of IK reported in these policies typically revolve around traditional farming methods, agroforestry, soil fertility management, water conservation techniques and pest management. Examples include traditional knowledge of crop rotation, natural pest control and rainwater harvesting techniques that have been used for generations. While policies such as the Climate-Smart Agriculture and Food Security Action Plan (2016) recognise the importance of IK, they lack clear mechanisms to integrate it with CSA tech. Addressing this gap requires community-based research that actively involves local farmers and elders through focus groups, field visits and interviews. Additionally, there is limited emphasis on digitising IK to improve accessibility, underscoring the need for mobile apps and databases, as demonstrated by Farmerline in Ghana. Similarly, while initiatives like the National Agricultural Extension Project focus on value chain integration, they fall short of providing structured capacity-building programmes to help farmers blend traditional practices with modern CSA tech.
| Year | Policy documents | Reference to climate change adaptation | Reference to IK | Reference to CSA | Reference to youth employment | Reference to innovation using IK | Reference to CSA tech |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Climate Change Adaptation Strategy | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2013 | Climate Change Policy | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2016 | Climate Change Master Plan | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2009 | Food Sector Development Policy Phase II | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2015 and 2021 | Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and Revised NDCs | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2016 | Climate-smart Agriculture and Food Security Action Plan | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2018 | An Agenda for Jobs: Creating Prosperity and Equal Opportunities for All | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2007 | National Food and Agriculture Sector Development Policy (FASDEP II) | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2018 | Climate-Smart Agriculture Investment Plan for Ghana (CSAIP) | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2010 | National Youth Policy | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2015 | Gender Policy | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2018 | Ghana National Adaptation Plan Framework | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2017 | The National Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2011 | The National Innovation Policy | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| 2017 | The National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Program (NEIP) | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Source: Authors' Construct, 2025 | |||||||
The current state of CSA tech startups in Ghana
In response to the intensification of the climate crisis, Ghana’s CSA tech sector is rapidly evolving to address the growing challenges of food insecurity and the need for enhanced resilience and productivity. A driving force behind this transformation is the growing involvement of youth in CSA tech innovations. Approximately 36% of Ghana’s population are under the age of 35, and many of these individuals are engaging with startups and ventures in the CSA tech space (PolicyLink Global, 2021). However, despite this enthusiasm, a report by Heifer International Ghana reveals that only 12% of youth involved in agriculture have fully adopted modern technologies (Business and Financial Times [BFT], 2021). This gap presents a significant opportunity to harness the innovative potential of Ghana's young population and accelerate the adoption of technology to drive agricultural development.
To tackle this challenge, initiatives such as the National Youth in Agriculture Programme (YIAP) are actively encouraging youth participation by offering training in modern agricultural techniques, leadership and business skills to enhance productivity (Ministry of Food and Agriculture [MOFA], 2024). Similarly, the AgriConnect initiative, which aims to train 10,000 students in agricultural business and digital skills, is fostering the next generation of CSA tech entrepreneurs and innovators (AgriConnect Ghana, 2024).
CSA tech startups are playing a crucial role in integrating technology across the agricultural value chain, from farm management to market access. These innovations are enhancing productivity, improving climate resilience and providing vital information for decision-making. Some of the key players in this ecosystem in Ghana include:
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Farmerline: Farmerline is a leading CSA tech platform that offers real-time climate information, access to financial services and market connectivity for farmers. This digital platform empowers farmers to make informed decisions, helping them navigate climate uncertainties and optimise their operations.
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AgroCenta: This CSA tech company connects smallholder farmers with markets and suppliers, offering climate-resilient inputs, credit facilities and agricultural training. AgroCenta’s model facilitates better adaptation to climate change, contributing to enhanced agricultural productivity and profitability.
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mAgric: mAgric is a mobile-based platform providing farmers with essential services such as weather forecasts, agricultural extension services and crop management advice. By integrating climate-smart technologies, mAgric supports farmers in adapting to shifting weather patterns, improving yields and sustainability.
Additionally, digital tools such as remote sensing technologies and weather forecasting apps have emerged to optimise farming practices. For example, Farmerline's Mergdata Platform provides digital farm mapping, weather forecasts and soil diagnostics, enabling farmers to make informed decisions and improve productivity (Farmerline, 2025).
Digital financial solutions have also been developed to address the financial challenges faced by smallholder farmers. Mobile-based lending, micro-insurance and blockchain-driven payment systems are increasing financial inclusion in the agricultural sector. AgroCenta, for instance, connects farmers to micro-loans and digital payment platforms, while mobile money services such as MTN MoMo and Vodafone Cash facilitate seamless agricultural transactions. Additionally, Nsano Ltd. provides digital payment solutions and financial services tailored to agribusinesses (AgroCenta, 2025; MTN, 2025; Nsano Ltd, 2025).
Digital market linkages have also transformed agricultural trade by eliminating intermediaries and enabling farmers to connect directly with buyers. Platforms such as Esoko provide real-time agricultural market information and price alerts via SMS, empowering farmers to make better sales decisions (Esoko, 2024). SyeComp leverages geospatial data to connect farmers with market opportunities, while Complete Farmer functions as a digital farming platform that links investors with farmers, facilitating contract farming and improving access to resources (SyeComp, 2025; Complete Farmer, 2025).
These platforms are not only enhancing productivity but also increasing farmers' access to crucial resources such as funding, training and market opportunities. A report by Restrepo et al. (2023) notes that CSA tech adoption could significantly reduce Ghana’s food import bill, which currently exceeds USD 2 billion annually (World Bank, 2020).
There is a growing interest in integrating Indigenous Knowledge (IK) into digital agricultural solutions to ensure that technology complements local farming practices, traditional weather forecasting and native crop management strategies. For example, Esoko’s extension services incorporate local knowledge of soil fertility and planting techniques into their digital advisory services, making the information more relevant to smallholder farmers (Atanga, 2020). Similarly, Farmerline’s Mergdata collaborates with community-based agents to translate digital insights into context-specific Indigenous farming practices, ensuring that farmers can effectively apply technological recommendations (Farmerline, 2023a). Additionally, mobile-based agro-advisory services are increasingly incorporating traditional pest control methods such as the use of neem extracts and organic composting alongside scientific approaches to promote sustainable and culturally relevant farming practices (CABI, 2024).
Despite this substantial progress, challenges remain. Access to affordable technology, inadequate infrastructure and the need for more robust digital literacy are preventing CSA tech solutions from scaling across the country. Nevertheless, as the private sector and government agencies continue to collaborate on these initiatives, Ghana’s CSA tech sector is poised to become a global leader in sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural practices. As the CSA tech ecosystem grows, fostering partnerships between startups, government bodies and international organisations will be crucial for realising the full potential of these technologies. With youth driving much of the change, the future of Ghana’s CSA tech landscape holds great promise for creating jobs, enhancing food security and addressing the long-term effects of climate change.
CSA Tech startups and youth employment
CSA tech startups in Ghana offer diverse opportunities beyond traditional farming. As such, they are playing an increasingly important role in youth employment. By leveraging digital platforms, for instance, young professionals with backgrounds in agriculture and information and communication technology (ICT) are finding new roles that merge technology with traditional extension services (Farmerline, 2023a; Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa [AGRA], 2019). In this space, startups such as Farmerline and Esoko are engaging youth as digital extension agents to disAnother key area of youth employment is in CSA tech entrepreneurship and business development. Startups like Complete Farmer and AgroCenta provide digital farming platforms that enable young entrepreneurs to launch agribusiness ventures with minimal land ownership requirements (Complete Farmer, 2025; AgroCenta, 2025). These platforms connect farmers to investors, digital tools and market opportunities, reducing barriers to entry in the agricultural sector. In addition, companies such as TROTRO Tractor are creating employment for youth in farm mechanisation, training them as tractor operators, service coordinators and drone operators as they modernise agricultural production. This shift towards mechanisation presents new opportunities for skilled youth to participate in precision farming and agricultural automation (WeAreTech, 2021).
To further strengthen youth employment in CSA tech, targeted interventions and policy support are needed. Governments and the private sector can implement youth-focused funding schemes to support CSA tech startups, offering grants, tax incentives and investment opportunities for companies that prioritise youth employment. Expanding capacity-building initiatives is also essential, particularly in areas like digital farming, data analytics and agricultural mechanisation. Universities and vocational training institutions should integrate CSA tech modules into their curricula to ensure young graduates are equipped with industry-relevant skills.
Adoption, usership and demand for agricultural solutions
he adoption of digital agricultural technologies in Ghana varies based on factors such as internet penetration, mobile phone access, digital literacy and affordability. Farmerline’s Mergdata has served over 1.7 million farmers across Africa, with a significant percentage in Ghana. In multiple local languages, the platform provides voice-based agricultural advisory services related to weather forecasts and market prices (Farmerline, 2023b). Similarly, Esoko reaches over 1 million smallholder farmers via SMS and voice messages on market prices, weather updates and best farming practices. Surveys indicate that farmers using Esoko’s services saw an average 10-30% increase in their revenue due to improved market price negotiations (Esoko, 2025). Additionally, as of 2019, over 40,000 registered smallholder farmers used AgroCenta’s platform for accessing microloans, mobile payments and market linkages. The service has reduced delays in payments and improved financial inclusion (GSMA, 2019).
Addressing climate risks through climate-smart agricultural technology and Indigenous knowledge
The linkages between CSA tech, Climate-Smart Agricultural technology (CSA tech) and Indigenous Knowledge (IK) lie in their shared goal of enhancing resilience and productivity in farming systems (Christian et al., 2024). CSA tech, such as mobile apps for weather forecasting or precision irrigation systems, provides data-driven tools to optimise resource use. When integrated with climate-smart technologies, these approaches create a holistic framework that leverages modern innovations while preserving and enhancing time-tested practices, ultimately empowering smallholder farmers to adapt to climate risks (Quarshie et al., 2023).
In Ghana, local technology innovations in the agricultural sector are increasingly integrating IK to address climate change risks in agriculture, forestry, natural resources management, etc. (Guodaar et al., 2021). These innovations primarily focus on enhancing resilience and sustainability through the use of locally-adapted techniques and tools (Ankrah et al., 2022). Startups, considered key players, are increasingly integrating IK into digital platforms. For example, mobile apps like Farmers' Hub and AgroTech have been developed to integrate IK with modern technologies such as weather forecasting, precision agriculture and crop monitoring. These apps utilise weather-prediction knowledge passed down through generations, which includes traditional methods like observing natural indicators such as animal behaviour, cloud patterns and seasonal changes. Additionally, startups such as SyeComp Ghana Limited, AcquahMeyer Drone Tech, Farmerline and Agrocenta are using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to map traditional farming methods, which are then integrated with modern data to provide advice on planting schedules, soil fertility management and pest control.
Another example is MoringaConnect, which connects farmers to both market information and CSA practices incorporating traditional knowledge of local crop varieties that are drought resistant. These innovations aim to blend scientific research with Indigenous practices, such as the use of organic fertilisers made from locally-sourced materials, to promote sustainable farming practices that increase productivity while addressing environmental challenges (Imoro et al., 2021). Other efforts incorporate IK into CSA tech. For example, traditional weather forecasting methods, as observing phenological cues like the flowering of the baobab tree, have been integrated into mobile-based weather forecast services such as Farmerline, Esoko and Vodafone Farmer's Club to provide culturally relevant information. Additionally, traditional soil management practices, such as the use of organic mulches and composting, have informed the development of CSA tech tools like biofertilisers (Bella-Bravo et al., 2023).
Despite these successes, significant challenges exist. The documentation on IK, a lack of deliberate policies on Indigenous knowledge and practices, a lack of government commitment toward IK, under-resourced institutions and a lack of coordination among institutions are key challenges to mainstreaming IK and climate change adaptation in national policies(Yeleliere et al., 2023).
Recommendations for mainstreaming Indigenous knowledge for sustainable climate-smart CSA tech innovation in Ghana
Mainstreaming Indigenous Knowledge (IK) systems into climate-sensitive policies, as well as linking them to innovation in the startup sector, is crucial for enhancing agricultural resilience in Ghana. This section offers practical recommendations for scaling up IK in the tech startup sector, ensuring its role in advancing innovation in Climate-Smart Agricultural technology (CSA tech).
Establishing collaborative partnerships through multi-stakeholder platforms
Building partnerships between local communities, tech startups, government agencies and research institutions is vital. Engaging traditional leaders, farmers and knowledge holders ensures Indigenous Knowledge (IK) is respected, accurately represented and integrated into technological solutions. Startups must engage with local farmers, community elders and NGOs working closely with rural farmers to document traditional practices. Several successful cases in Ghana highlight the efficacy of these participatory methods. For instance, researchers in the Brong-Ahafo region have used participatory mapping to document agroforestry practices, improving land management. Farmerline has digitised cocoa farmers’ knowledge of soil and pest management, enhancing productivity, while the Africa Rising Project has combined traditional practices with modern techniques to boost yields. Similarly, the Cocoa Life programme has documented and shared knowledge on shade management and pest control to foster sustainability. These initiatives demonstrate the importance of proper compensation, recognition and collaboration for sustainable and impactful CSA tech solutions.
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Indigenous knowledge into climate-smart solutions:Tech startups should develop digital tools, such as mobile apps and advisory platforms, that integrate Indigenous Knowledge (IK) to offer tailored advice on crop management, water conservation and climate resilience. Mobile applications could also offer customised crop recommendations, planting schedules and tutorials. These tools can help farmers – for example smallholders in northern Ghana, who practice intercropping millet with cowpea to maintain soil fertility and ensure diverse harvests (Dhaka et al., 2023) – make informed decisions, boosting productivity and reducing climate vulnerability. These apps could also integrate localised weather forecasts, enhancing climate resilience for farmers. This approach will not only improve agricultural productivity but also create opportunities for youth involvement in app development, data analysis and user-support roles. Compensating knowledge holders through revenue-sharing models or royalties will ensure fair recognition and encourage continued contribution to digitising IK.
Academic institutions and agricultural extension officers can help bridge the gap between modern technology and traditional methods by collecting, verifying and digitising IK through participatory research. This process should involve local communities to ensure that knowledge is accurately recorded and shared and that knowledge holders' cultural contexts and intellectual property rights are respected. Interviews, field visits and focus group discussions with farmers and community leaders will be vital in documenting IK for integration into CSA tech solutions. Proper compensation and recognition for these knowledge-holders should also be established to ensure sustainability and fair value exchange.
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Youth capacity building in CSA tech: Training youth in digital agriculture, mobile app development and integrating IK into CSA tech solutions will help them actively participate in innovation. Programmes that foster entrepreneurship in CSA tech can create jobs, providing youth with skills and opportunities to contribute to sustainable agriculture. To ensure sustainability, startups will need resources such as skilled developers, agricultural experts and partnerships with local organisations that also require training and reskilling. Programmes should target, train and fill these job-market gaps with young people.
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Incentivise IK CSA tech solutions: Governments should offer incentives like grants, tax breaks and funding to startups developing IK-based technologies. Encouraging the commercialisation of products such as organic pesticides or drought-resistant crops will drive sustainable business models and create rural employment.
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Creation of a digital IK repository: A national digital repository for IK could serve as a resource for CSA tech startups and researchers. This platform would store traditional farming methods and water management strategies, making them accessible for innovation and preserving IK for future generations.
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Integrating IK into national climate strategies: IK should be included in national climate change and agricultural policies. Recognising traditional knowledge in these frameworks will ensure it is considered in climate resilience and adaptation plans, supporting the development of more effective climate-smart solutions.
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Facilitating access to finance for IK-based startups: Financial institutions and governments should provide tailored funding options, such as grants and low-interest loans, for startups working with IK. Access to finance will help accelerate the development and scaling of IK-based CSA tech innovations.
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About the authors
Prof. Philip Antwi-Agyei
Prof. Philip Antwi-Agyei is a Professor of Climate Change Adaptation and Sustainability Science at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana.
Ms. Louisa Boakye
Ms. Louisa Boakye is an MPhil Environmental Science student at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana, with a focus on climate change and food security.
This paper was produced in the context of the Green Technology for Green Growth: Barriers and Drivers Project (2023 - November 2025) in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation. The views expressed do not necessarily represent those of the Foundation, its staff, or its Board of Directors.
